"Our practice of the Dharma should be a continual effort to attain a statebeyond suffering. It should not simply be a moral activity whereby we avoidnegative ways and engage in positive ones. In our practice of the Dharma, weseek to transcend the situation in which we all find ourselves: victims of our own mental afflictions- such as attachment, hatred, pride, greed, and so forth-are mental states that cause us to behave in ways that bring about all of our unhappiness and suffering. While working to achieve inner peace and happiness, it is helpful to think of them as our inner demons, for like demons, they can haunt us, causing nothing but misery. That state beyond such negative emotions and thoughts, beyond all sorrow, is called nirvana."

"When receiving the teachings, it is important to have the correct attitude. It is not practicing the Dharma properly to listen with the intention of gaining material advantage or reputation. Neither should our goal be higher rebirth in the next life, nor should we be wishing only for our own liberation from samsara. These are all attitudes we should reject. Instead, let us listen to the teachings with the determined wish to attain the state of omniscience for the sake of all beings."

"If there is love, there is hope to have real families, real brotherhood, real equanimity, real peace. If the love within your mind is lost, if you continue to see other beings as enemies, then no matter how much knowledge or education you have, no matter how much material progress is made, only suffering and confusion will ensue.

"Human beings will continue to deceive and overpower one another. Basically,everyone exists in the very nature of suffering, so to abuse or mistreat eachother is futile. The foundation of all spiritual practice is love. That youpractice this well is my only request."

To think the immense potential hidden deep within our being, to understand that the nature of mind is fundamental purity and kindness, and to meditate on its luminosity, will enable you to develop self-confidence.